Ventilator for automobiles



g- J. w. GREIG VENTILATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed May 13, 1930 lrzvenforx 146552172 iys'.

Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES W. GEE-1G, OF GROSSE POINTE PARK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO HUDSON MOTOR CAR COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN VENTILATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES Application filed May 13, 1930. Serial No. 451,959.

This invention relates to ventilators for automobiles, such as a bonnet or hood ventilator, an object of the invention being to provide an improved ventilator which may be manually opened or closed to provide the proper ventilation, and wherein the ventilator is controlled by means of a cover or door automatically tensioned in such manner to hold it in open and closed positions without however interfering with the operation thereof.

A further object of the invention 1s to provide a bonnet ventilator or the like controlled by a door or cover which may be manually swung into open or closed positions, wherein the construction is relatively simple and cheap to manufacture, and 1n which movement, vibration or rattllng of the door is automatically resisted in any position thereof.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters .designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective View illustrating the invention as applied to a bonnet or hood of an automobile, the ventl- 'lator cover or door being shown in open po sition.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the door or cover of the ventilator in closed position. I

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective View illustrating another embodiment of the 1nvention.

Fig.4 is a horizontal section of a some what modifiedtype of construction.

Before explaining in detail the present 1nvention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings,"since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purtilating opening 11.

pose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims hereto appended as considered in View of the prior art and the requirements thereof.

The invention has been illustrated in the drawings, by way of example, in its present preferred forms, and for this purpose has been applied to the bonnet or hood of an automobile, although it is understood that the invention may be otherwise applied. In the drawings the bonnet or hood is indicated at 9 and the radiator of the automobile at 10.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the bonnet is formed, preferably at each side, with a ven- The bonnet is stamped from sheet steel and is formed around the edge of the opening 11 with a flange 12, this flange comprising portions extending inwardly at right angles to each other around the margin of the opening to provide a pocket or seat 13 adapted to receive the ventilator door or cover 14. lVhen the door or cover 14 is closed, as shown in Fig. 2, the outside face thereof is flush with the outer face of the bonnet or hood.

The ventilator door 14 is provided with an inwardly extending marginal flange 1.5, and the front edge 15a of this flange is pro vided with spaced projecting tabs 16 which form the hinge members for the door. Each tab 16 is bent to the proper shape and projects through a slot 17 in the flange 12.

Secured to the inner face of the door 14;, as by spot welding, is a plate 18 which is formed at opposite upper and lower edges thereof with inwardly projecting ears 19, which carry a vertical stud or pin 20. A swinging lever or looking member 21 is pivoted adjacent one end thereof to the pivot pin 20. This lever, in the present instance, is stamped from sheet steel into substantially channel or U-shape with the sides 21a fitting snugly between the cars 19 and the base of central web 21b of the channel adapted to lie along the inner face of the door when closed, as shown in Fig. 2.

The lever 21 extends rearwardly beyond the rear edge of the door so as to overlie the flanged edge 13a of the opening 11. The

ends of pr n lever 21 is provided with a notch 22 adapted to receive the flange 13a when the door is closed, and with a second notch 23 of substantially greater depth whichis adapted to receive the flange 13a when-the door is open. The notch portion 23 terminates in a stop 24 which is formed by bending-the metal at the free end of the lever 21 outwardly.

The lever 21 is controlled by means of a spring, herein termed a reversing spring, this spring comprising a rear portion '25 and a forwardly extending portion 26. Inv the present instance the spring is wireformed of the required stnength, the part 25 comprising "a loop slidingly engaging the tbase 21b of the channel in rear of the pivot This loop is coiled around the pivot 20 and is extended forwardly to provide the "spring portion 26 which slidingly engages 1 the plate 18. It will be seen that the construction is such that when the door is closed as shown in Fig. 2, the springs and 26 extend outwardly from the pivot 20, the latter being located at one side of the working door is swung outwardly as shown in Fig.

:1,the pivot moves outwardly against the action of the springs until it is located at the opposite side of the imaginary line joining the ends of the springs. The springs are under tension whether the door is'closed or open.

Fro-1n the foregoing it will be seen that thepressure of the springs acting outward- 1y at one side of'the pivot 20 against the door, and acting against the lever 21 at the opposite side of the pivot, per-forms several important functions.

7 Constant pressure'flis exerted against the 1 door resulting i-n'holding the=hinge tabs 16' tightly in the slots 17 without however preventing the tabs working'properly in the slots when the door is opera-ted. This constant tensioning of the doorprevents objectionable noises due to rattling or vibration when 'the" car is in motion; Moreover,

the spring device exertsaconstant pressure against the lever 21 holding the latter under substantial tension against the flange 13a of the bonnet. As the door 1s swung outwardly the lever 21 is swung inwardly against the'action of the spring which resists this -mo-ve'ment so that the tension on t'helever prevents it from rattling against the edge ment of the door.

he-n,-however, the I adapted to close the same,

the doorhinge.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a modified construction. In this instance the door 14 is controlled by means of a member 27 which is a flat metal spring bar secured at 28 to the inner face of the door 14 and extending rearwardly to'overlie theflange edge 13a of the'opening. This spring memberis bowed so as to press against the flange 13a under tension. rom this construction it will be seen that the spring member 2'? is so formed as to be in. constant engagement with the flange 13a and to be held under substantial tension thereby; When the door 14 is swung outwardly the spring 27 is'further compressed as it slides over the edge of the opening, t-he'outer end of the arm 27 being bent to form a stop 29 which limits the opening of the door. 'Ihe door is therefore held in any position by means of the more or less compressed spring, which in turn places tension on the door and hinges so as to prevent rattling or vibration and consequent noises during operation of the vehicle. I i v Referring to Fig. 4, the construction illustrated infthisform'of the invention is substantially similar to Figs. 1 and 2 with the exception that the flanged edge 13 of the ventilator opening has a forwardly inclined extension 30 terminating in a beaded edge 30a adapted to contact with the worlc ing face of lever 21. A knob 81 is secured to the outer side of the door 14 to permit manipulation of the door when opening or closing the same. As in the construction shown in Figs. '1 and 2 the spring 25-26 is'effective to distribute its force through three pointsfnamely, the flanged edge 30a, of the opening, the pivot 20, and the hinged members 16 and 17. By virtue of this act-ion all contacting points are under strain or tension and hence the tendency of any of .the parts "0 rattle on account of looseness is prevented.

'It' will be seen that the construction of the hinged portions '16 and 17' not only provides a simple and cheap arrangement for hanging the door, but by virtue of the tensioning'device such a hinged construction may be employed withoutany danger of Objectionable r t g of the door/d operation o-f't'he car. The invention therefore obviates the necessity of employing the usual more expensive types of hinges, thereby effecting substantial savings in production. r

Iclaim: V i

A ventilator for an automobile comprising a panel having an opening. a door hinged at one edge of the opening and and a member secured to the door and. spring pressed to contact continuously with the inner edge of the openingfland also to .exert pressure on 2. An automobile ventilator comprising a panel having an opening, a swinging door in said opening, the adjacent edges of said opening and door having mating projections and slots for hingedly supporting the door, and spring pressed means contacting continuously with the opposite inner edge of the opening for resisting opening and closing of the door and for maintaining the projections within the slots under spring pressure.

3. An automobile ventilator comprising a panel having an opening, a swinging door in said opening, the adjacent edges of said opening and door having mating projections and slots for hingedly supporting the door, a lever pivoted to the door, and spring means acting against said pivot for inaintaining the projections within the slots un der pressure and also for continuously pressing the lever against an inner edge of the panel.

4. A ventilator for an automobile comprising a panel having an opening, a door having a hinge connection with the panel at one side of the opening, an arm pivoted to the door and overlying an inner edge of the panel opening, and spring means acting against the door and arm for maintaining the arm under tension in sliding engagement with the inner edge of the panel and also for tensioning said hinge connection.

5. A ventilator for an automobile comprising a panel having an opening, a door having a freely releasable hinge connection with the panel at one side of the opening, a lever pivoted to the door and overlying an inner edge of the panel opening, and spring means acting against the door, lever and pivot and effective to exert pressure on said hinge connection.

6. A'ventilator for an automobile comprising a panel having an opening, a door having a hinge connection with the panel at one side of the opening, an arm pivoted to the door and overlying an inner edge of the panel opening, said arm having means coacting with said inner panel edge for releasably locking the door in open and closed positions, and spring means between the door and arm for yieldingly holding the arm in looking position and also for tensioning said hinge connection.

7. A ventilator for an automobile comprising a panel having an opening, a door hinged to the panel at one side of the open ing, an arm pivoted to the door and overlying an inner edge of the panel opening, said arm having spaced notches adapted to coact with said inner panel edge for releasably locking the door in open and closed posi tions, and spring means between the door and arm for yieldingly holding the arm in looking position.

8. A ventilator for an automobile comprising a panel having an opening, a door hinged to the panel at one side of the opening, an inner arm pivoted to the door and overlying an edge of the panel opening, said arm having means coaciing with said inner panel edge for releasably locking the door in open and closed positions, and a reversing spring between the door and arm for yieldingly maintaining the arm in looking position when the door is open and closed.

9. A ventilator for an automobile comprising a panel having an opening, a door hinged to the panel at one side of the opening, an inner arm pivoted to the door and overlying an edge of the panel opening, said arm having means coacting with said inner panel edge for releasably locking the door in open. and closed positions, and a reversing spring connected to the pivot and slidingly engaging the arm and door at opposite sides of the pivot to yieldingly maintain the arm in locked positions when the door is open and closed.

10. In an automobile, a panel having aventilator opening, a door having a releas able hinge connection with the panel along one edge of the opening, a swinging arm pivoted to the door, and spring means acting against the arm and pivot for tensionin; said hinge connection and also for mainta' ring the arm under tension in sliding engagement with an inner edge of the opening.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES V. GREIG. 

